Contrary to the N13.5m claims in some quarters the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has disclosed that each Senator takes N1,063,360,00 as monthly salary and allowances.
The Chairman of RMAFC, Mohammed Bello Shehu, made the disclosure through a statement in Abuja on Tuesday
He said, each Senator collects a monthly salary and allowances of N1,063,8860.00 made up of basic salary- N168,366,70; motor vehicle/fuel maintenance allowances- N266,50.00, Personal Assistant N42,216.66, Domestic staff N126,650.00 Entertainment N50,660.
Others are– Utilities N50,660.00, Newspapers/ Periodicals N25,330.00, Wardrobe N42,216,66.00, House maintenance N8,443,.00 and Constituency Allowance N422,166.66 respectively.
The statement reads, “The Commission wishes to clear the air on the controversy surrounding the salaries and allowances payable to Members of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an issue that continues to occupy the front burner of national discourse, especially amongst Elder Statesmen, public affairs commentators, civil society and the media.”
The statement indicated that the clarification has become expedien and instructive given the recent comments made by Mr. Shehu Sani, a former Senator of the Federal Republic who was reported to have disclosed to the public that each Senator collects a monthly running cost of N13.5m in addition to the monthly N750, 000 prescribed by the Commission.
It explained that the RMAFC does not have constitutional powers to enforce compliance with proper implementation of the Remuneration package adding that the lacuna is, however, being addressed by the National Assembly.
“It is instructive to note that some allowances are regular while others are non-regular. Regular allowances are paid regularly with Basic Salary while Non-Regular allowances are paid as at when due. For instance, Furniture allowance (N6,079,200) and Severance Gratuity (N6,079,200) are paid once in every tenure, and Vehicle allowance (N8,105,600) which is optional is a loan that the beneficiary has to pay before leaving office.”
“It is important to also emphasize that except some few Political, Public Office holders such as the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, etc., all Public and Legislative Officers are no longer provided with housing as was the case in the past.
“The Commission also wishes to use this opportunity to state that any allegation regarding other allowance(s) being enjoyed by any political, public office holder outside those provided in the Remuneration (Amendment) Act, 2008 should be explained by the person who made the allegation.”
It explained that to avoid misinformation and misrepresentation of facts capable of misleading citizens and members of the International Community, the Commission considers it most appropriate and necessary to request Nigerians and any other interested party to avail themselves of the opportunity to access the actual details of the present Remuneration package for Political, Public, and Judicial Office holders in Nigeria published on its website: www.rmafc.gov.ng.